Index Character in a distinct form 3 The Panigale V4 Speciale, an homage to the Italian spirit 7 The Panigale V4 Two-Seater 9 Italian symphony 11 The new Desmosedici Stradale engine 13 GP Technology 15 Heart of the engine: The Desmodromic system 17 The synthesis of design perfection 19 The new “Front Frame”: simple and effective 21 Born for the track 25 Tailor-made racing electronics 27 Moment by moment 31 Brakes inspired by GP 33 Akrapovič, racing sound and power 35 State-of-the-art TFT dashboard 39 Beyond the limits: the Panigale V4 Speciale 41 Panigale V4 S Corse MotoGP Style 45 Safety as standard 47 More value to your passion 49 Endless excitement 51 Always by your side 53 Technical data and equipment 55 Accessories 71 Apparel 83 Ducati SuMisura 91 1 Character in a distinct form Elegant, muscular, technological. This is the essence of the new Panigale V4 style. The Ducati Design Centre has given shape to the character of the bike and its performance. The Panigale V4 was designed in accordance with what Ducati considers the fundamental standards of Italian sports elegance: sweeping surfaces, broken by only a few distinct features. Component integration, the concept of power and functionality are dominant elements of the bike’s style and design as a whole. Refined and essential, this is a motorcycle designed to maximise performance. Research into achieving the best possible aerodynamic efficiency, conducted in a wind tunnel by Ducati Corse engineers, played a decisive role in the shaping of the main and front fairings. 3 All of the fairings of the Panigale V4 fit over the underlying mechanics as tightly as a tailor-made suit, with the new “Front Frame”, left visible for all to see, forming an integral part of the design. The front is dominated by the large air intakes that feed the engine and by the LED headlight, which, thanks to its compact size, is nearly invisible when the motor is off, contributing to creating the distinctive look of the current range of Ducati sports bikes. 5 The Panigale V4 Speciale, an homage to the Italian spirit The concepts of simplicity and integration lie at the basis of this project and have inspired the Ducati designers to envision a characteristic “double layer” solution for the fairing, emphasising the elegance of the bike’s surfaces and endowing it with a clean-lined aesthetic. The plasticity of the “diamond” tank, another Ducati trademark, assists the rider during all stages of track driving. It extends under the seat in order to lower the centre of gravity, just as on racing bikes, a detail that is enhanced and emphasised by the fact that a portion of the subtail remains visible. The slim tail guard, with its full-LED tail light divided into dual curves, makes the rear view of the Panigale V4 equally unmistakeable. 7 The Panigale V4 Two-Seater The tail guard of the single-seater is all in one piece, emphasising the bike’s “ready-to-race” character. When necessary, you can switch to the two-seater configuration by mounting the passenger seat and footpegs, available as additional equipment for the Panigale V4 and V4 S versions. 9 Italian symphony Benchmark performance and cutting edge technology translate into a unique and unmistakeable sound. All of this is the Panigale V4. The numerous characteristic technical details that make the Panigale V4 stand out not only raise its level of performance to the utmost heights, they also provide it with its distinctive character, thanks to the “voice” of the new Desmosedici Stradale. The unusual “Twin Pulse” firing sequence chosen for the Desmosedici Stradale engine means that the firing order is irregular, two bursts followed closely by two more, making the firing interval similar to that of a twin-cylinder. The result is not only generous power delivery, but also a sound that is immediately recognisable. This is the new soundtrack for Ducati sports bikes. 11 The new Desmosedici Stradale engine The new V4 90° engine is derived from the experience gained in MotoGP, where the performance of the four- cylinder Desmosedici sets the standard for its class. The Desmosedici Stradale has already earned its place in the history of the company based in Borgo Panigale, which had never before fitted a mass-produced sport bike with a 4-cylinder engine. For Ducati, the V4 layout at 90° is the utmost expression of a sports-oriented bike. The Desmosedici Stradale engine is inserted into the bike with the front bank of the cylinders rotated back by 42° with respect to the horizontal plane, as on the Ducati engines competing in MotoGP. The 90° V layout of the cylinders creates a natural balancing of first- order forces, without the need to resort to a balance shaft to eliminate vibrations. The Desmosedici Stradale was created to achieve top sports performance on the road and on the track. With 214 hp (157.5 kW) of maximum power at 13,000 rpm and 124 Nm (12.6 kgm) of maximum torque at 10,000 rpm. 13 GP Technology Our search for inspiration in MotoGP led us to choose 4 a 81 mm cylinder bore, which is the same as the racing Desmosedici GP’s, the maximum permitted by MotoGP 3 technical regulations. It is the largest bore of any of the super sports road bikes with a V4 engine. The 53.5 mm stroke was chosen in order to boost torque even at low to medium revs. The resulting displacement is 1,103 cc. The counter-rotating crankshaft is also derived from GP technology. The fact that the crankshaft rotates in the opposite direction to the wheels offers several benefits. It compensates, in part, for the gyroscopic effect produced 2 by the wheels, ensuring the bike is more agile and precise when changing direction. It furthermore generates inverse 1 torque, reducing the wheelie phenomenon and the tendency for the rear end to lift during braking. These are crucial advantages when riding a Panigale V4. The fact that the crank pins are offset by 70°, combined with the 90° V architecture, gives rise to a firing order more typical of twin-cylinder engines (“Twin Pulse”). This firing sequence guarantees significant advantages in power delivery: responsive and generous when travelling along a straight stretch and when coming out of corners, it optimises traction and makes a unique and distinctive sound, the same that has made Ducati Desmosedici GP bikes instantly recognizable. 15 Heart of the Engine: The Desmodromic System The Desmodromic distribution system is the profiles and extreme cam timings. The result? system is controlled by an electronic control unit, heart of every Ducati. The new Desmosedici Exceptional performance and reliability, for the which determines the mobile stage of the horns Stradale is the most recent stage in its evolution, entire lifespan of the motorcycle. Thanks to the based on revs and required torque. The technology, completely redesigned to reduce cylinder head Desmosedici Stradale, variable-height intake horns, materials and parts employed in the construction of size and to achieve the extraordinary high revs characterised in this case by four oval throttle the engine are designed to meet the strict reliability of the V4 engine. The precision of Desmodromic bodies (52 mm/2 in diameter equivalent), are requirements customary for engines built for road system function ensures that the intake valves making their début on a Ducati. The main benefit use. The interval for valve clearance inspection and, (34 mm/1.34 in diameter) and the exhaust valves offered is the optimised cylinder intake across if necessary, adjustment (Desmo Service) is set at (27.5 mm/1 in diameter) open and close with the the rev range, with all the benefits this entails in 24,000 km/15,000 mi, with general service intervals same level of accuracy, even given the steep cam terms of power delivery and ease of handling. The remaining at 12,000 km/12 months. 17 Ducati’s racing experience has made the Panigale V4 into an example of what maximum agility and precision control. The componentry, developed specifically The synthesis of design perfection happens when you apply the most innovative technologies to mass production. for the Panigale V4, represents the best that motorcycle manufacturing has From the Desmosedici GP has arisen a motorcycle that is unique in terms of to offer. The new Brembo Stylema® brake callipers, mounted exclusively on the technology applied. The Desmosedici Stradale is, in fact, designed to be a the Panigale V4, the Öhlins steering damper (S version), light-weight forged load-bearing component of the new “Front-Frame”, whose more compact layout Marchesini wheels (S version) and the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa tyres with a new guarantees a lighter weight than a perimeter frame. The new frame, along with 200/60 size on the back; the same used in the SBK World Championship, all the single-sided swingarm, seat support and front subframe, are designed for contribute to the Panigale V4’s excellent dynamics. 19 The New “Front Frame”: simple and effective The Panigale V4’s “Front-Frame” distinguishes it from every other Ducati manufactured to date. The evolution of the design strategy adopted for the monocoque, designed for Desmosedici GP, sees the engine become a load-bearing component. Compared to the Monocoque, the “Front-Frame” makes it possible to decouple the torsional and lateral rigidity, so as to achieve the proper amount of pliability where it is needed. The objective is, as always, top performance, which calls for ease of control and responsiveness. 21 23 Born for the track A power/weight ratio of 1.1 hp/kg.